News, important questions, and some answers just one week away from reopening.
144 thoughts on “Breaking Details: Hawaii Reopening. Approved Testing Partners. Pilot 2nd Tests”
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Home » Blog » Hawaii Travel Tips » Breaking Details: Hawaii Reopening. Approved Testing Partners. Pilot 2nd Tests
Aloha!
My family of 6 booked a trip to Kauai Nov. 12. We have four kids 5-13 years old. We live in Utah. We have all already had Covid so we thought it a great time to go worry free of getting or spreading the coronavirus. We are now trying to find a place that aligns with Hawaii’s regulations, but also tests kids. Do you have any idea if any of those partners listed will test kids? Does Walgreens?
Thanks so much,
Kate
Hi Kate.
We’ll have an update on testing today.
Aloha.
Kinda stupid, I cane in sept on the 1st and as I got on plane they said my 2 separate covid test was invalid … so I follow the stupid state Prior Covid (72hrs negative results) rules to have them change the damn rules on the day I flew into Hawaii … get your together, cause only you loosing tourist and the money they spend , and locals think it’s stupid !!! Your own website is so dumb and non compliant !!! Either get it right or get outta office and let somebody that knows what the he’ll is actually going on !!!!
Returning from mainland to our home on the Big Island October 12. Could we get test after we arrive. For example 3 days after are arrive?
Mahalo Jacob
Hi Jacob.
Unless something changes, you will still have to be tested on the mainland.
Aloha.
One additional comment… Jacob, you stated you are returning October 12? If so, you’d still fall under the 2 week quarantine, vs testing out starting October 15.
Is that correct BOH?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Julieta.
That is correct, as per current state plans.
Aloha.
Aloha folks, I am a resident of Seattle, and have starting testing that the city of Seattle is providing. What is missing is the certification seal of approval CLIA. I read each islands newspaper to stay abreast of each islands desires for “opening”, and am planning on landing in Kauai on 10/19. The preferred test sites don’t specify that they are CLIA certified, but the assumption is that they must be. So, what happens when you try to fill out the SAFE TRAVEL, and you can’t enter the the special words that will let you step foot on the island without being quarantined? Most of these preferred testing sites don’t have testing yet. I have practiced filling out the SAFE TRAVEL, and have had to ask for technical help, which I got a week ago. Now, not so much, they are overwhelmed and understaffed for the onslaught of emails and calls.
Here is the conundrum, where is the certification listed that the state of Hawaii will recognize? The test must be a NAAT, which must be certified, but without the CLIA certification from the testing site, what does this all mean?
Sorry for being long winded, but I don’t want to be quarantined for lack of due diligence. I don’t want to be a spreader, I am an essential worker, and I want to remain that way and to respect the islanders and their elders. Drew
Hi Drew, From what I was able to determine, the city’s tests are processed by the UW lab which is not directly certified by CLIA. WA state has an exemption from CLIA since the state MTS does the certification and CLIA recognizes this. I worried about whether the state of Hawaii would also recognize this but at this time it is a moot point. The state will only accept tests from the specific partners listed on the state website. Since I am flying on Alaska, I was able to book appointments with carbon. And Walgreens also seems to be an option. And THANK YOU for working through this pandemic.
Hello, you are very correct about the state of Washington. I just found that buried in the UW Medical lab certification. I fly Hawaiian, and their test sites aren’t up and running yet. Walgreens only goes out 3 days, so you can’t plan, other than on a wish and a hope. Not open on Sunday.
Hi Drew, I just noticed that the hawaiicovid19 website added a new testing partner Discovery Health that does testing at the Doubletree hotel by Seatac. I didn’t dig deep into the specifics but might be an option.
Hello folks who live in and near Seattle. I have been able to get an appointment with WALGREENS, and have made an inquiry with DISCOVERYHEALTH.COM.I plan on testing the WALGREENS site in advance,this Sunday morning, tomorrow, to see what the turnaround time is. Then I am going to go online everyday to WALGREENS, so that I can time my last and final covid test to comply with the 72 hrs. You can only plan 2-3 days out with WALGREENS.
I am also hoping to hear from HAWAIIAN AIRLINES, and DISCOVERY, since redundancy and the oh poop factor can sabotage 3 days of my 10 days on the island. Drew
Hello Andrew,
Which of the 2 test are you taking 72hrs prior? I’m having a hard time figuring out which one is the right one since walgreens provides 2 different ones. Thank you
Hello Marlen, Have you done your research to know what the difference is in the two tests? You need to meet the NAAT criteria. Once you understand that, then you will know which test to take. I have been doing my research and learning what my responsibilities are as a safe traveler, and also, I hope, being welcomed once I land in Kauai.
Hi Drew, I just noticed that the hawaiicovid19 website added a new testing partner Discovery Health that does testing at the Doubletree hotel by Seatac. I didn’t dig deep into the specifics but might be an option.
This is the best website dealing with e coming travel to Hawaii. Great job guys, best information around period. My question, a flight LAX to HNL to OGG. When does the 72 hr start for testing?is it at departure LAX or departure at OGG. Please somebody find a correct answer. Many thanks.
Hi Dick.
Thanks so much for that. The answer is it is 72 hours before your flight from LAX to HNL.
Aloha.
Hi
So I’m suppose to fly to oahu on oct 30 and stay there for 5 days then fly to Maui for 5 days is it possible to do with a negative covid test or no since inter island travel has different rules?
Is Westjet going to be a partner? Are there other rules for Canadian visitors?
Canadian airlines WANT to fly to US holiday destinations but I think it’s complicated by the border closure.
Pre-travel testing is already available in Canada it’s just not widely available or advertised yet (Soon!). Most Canadian labs also have American certification, so a travel test done in Canada would meet requirements. I am certain there are negotiations with the Hawaiian govt to get this rolling asap.
This administration is not dealing with reality. There is no way that the state can monitor every passenger that arrives to the islands. It is beyond comprehension that every arrival will be stuck in a deadlock at the airport while all their personal information is verified. Absolute insanity. Do they real think that all these issues will be worked out in the next five days?? This group of leaders has been at odds since March, the governor, it. governor and the director of health. Now the mayor’s all want their two cents included. It’s a never ending mess.
I flew in on 9/29 and complied with all required to do. I am a returning resident/taxpayer. Spent over an hour in line, had Bar code, ID and cell phone. However I was not to be believed. Hope to never go through that again.
Do you have any more info on Southwest being a testing partner? As far as I can find, you guys are the only ones reporting that. Thanks much.
Hi Tom.
Southwest was listed yesterday in the state’s presentation. That’s the first we have heard of it.
Aloha.
Hi, great website. Thank you.
Hawaiicovid19.com doesn’t say anything about Abbott ID now test. It would help to clarify if this test is acceptable- of course from authorized vendors only. I think the Lt governor said last week (press briefing) that IdNow is acceptable.
Thanks,
Anil
Hi Anil.
Thank you. Good question. Yes, we too recall the lieutenant governor mentioning that test. We don’t know what happened to that but we know for certain that more tests and testing partners will be added. So we’d assume that is where the IDNow tests fits in.
Hello and Aloha!
The Travel Hawaii site wants the visitor to upload a Negative result within 72 hours of arrival, not just to take the test within 72 hours of arrival.
CVS told me ot takes “about” 3 Business for the results. So let’s say in my case I fly to Hilo via Honolulu from San Diego on a Monday. I must test the previous Friday and pray to have results by Monday.
What if my test results take longer and I just landed in HI?
I think only Airport testing on the mainland before the flight would make sense.
Thank you!
Hi Ariel.
Understand your concerns. There’s nothing much more we can add.
Aloha.